Let Me Sum Up: Mazie's Blessing

In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, baptism occurs at age 8, instead of in infancy.  Instead, babies are given a name by those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood who are close to the family (usually dad, grandpas, uncles, friends).  The Sunday after Mazie was born (so November 13th), Braden blessed Mazie during our church meetings.  Also included in giving the blessing were my dad, my brother Shaun, Braden's friend Grant, my SIL's BIL David, our friend Ryan, and our Bishop Petersen.

It was a beautiful blessing.  Among the highlights were the blessing to have:

*the strength of her ancestors
*the determination to get done what needs to be done
*courage to make right choices, even when they are not popular
*the ability to adapt
*patience, that frustrations will not easily come as she learns to listen to the Spirit
*an understanding of her Heavenly and earthly heritage
*support from this knowledge during hard times
*opportunities to share the gospel with others

Typically, babies are dressed all in white for their blessings, like an infant being baptized would be.  I've always used the dress my sisters and I were blessed in for my babies, but this time, I decided to make one for Mazie.  I loved how it turned out, but wouldn't you know it, we didn't get any good pictures on her blessing day.

So a few weeks ago, I put it on her and took pictures.  I loved how they turned out and was glad that she was a bit bigger to fit the dress better.  (I didn't exactly intend for a 5 day old to be wearing it.)

Sneak Peek!

Here's what I made last night...

Nesting?

We're counting down the weeks now...just 4 to go!  I can't believe we're really at the end of this pregnancy already, and yet I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be over!  I have so much to do...

They call it nesting.  I call it preparation.  And sure, do I really have to do ALL these things before the baby is born?  No.  But I know that life will be much easier afterwards if I do.

I started with making freezer meals.  In the end, I have enough meals put together or ready for 50 dinners.  FIFTY!?  Wow.  That was a lot.  This is the first time our freezer has been full.  Like really full.  Like don't buy anything that has to be frozen because it will not fit. 

I also had a bunch of orders (particularly yogurt tubes) that needed to get done.

And we're still trying to move in now that the basement is getting finished (though it should be officially finished this Saturday.  Hooray!!) so I've been organizing and unpacking.  I'd rather do it when the weather is perfect than in 6 weeks when it is snowing.  Last year's first snowfall was on November 13th.  That's a lot sooner than most of us realize...or want...

Oh, and I really wanted to get Christmas finished before the baby came so I could enjoy the season.  I've got half of it wrapped and the other half either planned, purchased, or started.  But I still need to get that done.

I needed to get things ready for when the baby does decide to come, like getting the hospital bag packed.  Not like I need it yet, but it is easy to do and check off the list so I don't have to think about it again.  So that got done.

And then, I am left with the little things I WANT to do to get ready for this baby.  Like making things.  I need to make her cloth diapers and covers, which I started weeks ago and still haven't gotten back to.  Tonight.  Must do tonight.  I also want a new mei tai carrier, so I need to make that too. 

But the most pressing thing for me was to recover my carseat...again.  With Avery, I made a cover that went on top of my existing carseat.  Like a glove, but one that I never absolutely loved.  Here's what it looked like:

This time, though, I wanted a more modern, more gender neutral, and more professional look.  Not so homemade.  So I followed the basic tutorial from Make It and Love It, made my own changes to make it easier, and ended up with this:

I love it!!  So, even if this baby has no diapers for her bum, she'll be riding in style!

My Latest Projects!

I have developed a new passion lately...making swimsuits!  This is SO fun.  I've made about 7 or 8 of them already, but today's was the best so far.  I absolutely love it.  I can't wait to get more fabric and make some more!

Two Projects

I recently worked on two fun projects.  I love creating things! 

First, my sister commissioned me to make her friend a temple bag.  Of course, I had to experiment and mess up on one for myself first, so I ended up making two.  And true to form, the second one turned out WAY better and I really want to make myself another one now that I know a few tricks. 

I love the pattern of the fabric as well as the pattern for the bag.  I love how it folds up, how it has buckles, how it has straps.  Everything.  I love it.

Second, I made this adorable little dress set (dress, ruffle bum bloomers, and headband) for a friend's baby shower.  I love how it turned out!  I may start offering these sets on my etsy store.  What do you think?